Solar power in North Carolina

Solar installation, Fort Bragg

Solar power has been increasing rapidly in the U.S. state of North Carolina, from less than 1 MW (megawatts) in 2007 to 6,152 MW in 2019, when it had the second-largest installed PV capacity of all states.[1]

In addition to federal incentives, the state has a Renewable Portfolio Standard of 12.5% by 2021 and a state renewable energy tax credit, both of which have been credited with boosting solar installations.[2][3][4]

In North Carolina, the distribution of solar power production is mainly on land that is classified as agricultural land, at 63%.[5] Furthermore, a 2018 Smithsonian Magazine article described North Carolina as likely being the national leader in the "solar shepherd phenomenon" – combining sheep farming with solar power plants to reduce the high costs of grass trimming.[6]

According to a report from the Solar Energy Industries Association, as of June 2019, North Carolina generates 5.81% of its electricity through solar power, and ranks second (up from 3rd in 2018) in total installed photovoltaics.[7] As of 2022 this number is up to 9% being ranked 4th.[8]

Grid-connected PV capacity[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]
Year Total (MW) Installed (MW) % Change
2007 0.7
2008 4.7 4 571%
2009 12.5 7.8 166%
2010 40 28.7 220%
2011 85.5 45.5 114%
2012 207.9 122.4 143%
2013 469 261.1 126%
2014 849 380 81%
2015 1,974 1,125 132%
2016 2,984 1,010 51%
2017 3,287.5 303.5 10%
2018 4,692.1 1,404.6 42.7%
2019 6,152.3 1,460.2 31%
2020 7,037.8 885.5 14%
2021 7,811.2 773.4 %
2022 8,179 367.8 %
Source: NREL[17]
  1. ^ http://www.eia.gov/electricity/annual /2017/06/19
  2. ^ Lauren Shwisberg (February 27, 2014). "Utility Scale Solar Energy: North Carolina's Emergent Success". The Energy Collective. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  3. ^ Daniel Gross (July 5, 2014). "NC quietly becomes a star on solar energy stage". The News & Observer. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  4. ^ Steve DeVane (July 18, 2014). "Solar farms taking root in North Carolina". The Fayetteville Observer. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  5. ^ Curtis, Scott; Etheridge, Randall; Malali, Praveen; Peralta, Ariane L.; Filho, Faete (2020). "Planning for Future Solar Farm Development in North Carolina: A Geographic Food Energy-Water Approach". Southeastern Geographer. 60 (1): 48–64. ISSN 1549-6929.
  6. ^ Molly A. Seltzer. "There's a New Job in the Solar Industry." Smithsonian Magazine. February 6, 2018.
  7. ^ "Solar Spotlight – North Carolina" (PDF). Solar Energy Industries Association. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
  8. ^ https://www.eia.gov/state/print.php?sid=NC
  9. ^ Sherwood, Larry (July 2009). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2008" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). Archived from the original (PDF) on November 23, 2009. Retrieved July 24, 2010.
  10. ^ Sherwood, Larry (July 2010). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2009" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 25, 2010. Retrieved July 28, 2010.
  11. ^ Sherwood, Larry (June 2011). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2010" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). Retrieved June 29, 2011.
  12. ^ Sherwood, Larry (August 2012). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2011" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). p. 17. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 6, 2012. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  13. ^ Sherwood, Larry (July 2013). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2012" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). p. 16. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  14. ^ Sherwood, Larry (July 2014). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2013" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  15. ^ "North Carolina Solar Projects". solarlove.org. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
  16. ^ "North Carolina Solar". Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  17. ^ "PV Watts". NREL. Retrieved May 17, 2012.